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China, Thailand to hold 'Falcon Strike-2025' joint air force training in Thailand

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: Sep 15, 2025 02:02 PM

China and Thailand will for the fourth consecutive year hold the "Falcon Strike" joint air force training in Thailand. A Chinese military affairs expert said on Monday that the joint training reflects mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation that boost technical and tactical capabilities of both countries' militaries.

In mid-to-late September, the China-Thailand "Falcon Strike-2025" joint air force training will be held in Thailand, with the Chinese side sending multiple types of aircraft, ground air defense forces and other units to participate, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced in a statement on Monday.

This exercise will help enhance the technical and tactical capabilities of the participating troops and deepen mutual trust and practical cooperation between the two militaries, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.

This exercise marks the fourth consecutive year that China and Thailand hold the "Falcon Strike" series joint air force training in Thailand, and the eighth edition overall.

According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, the previous joint air force training sessions were held in August 2022, July 2023 and August 2024, respectively, all at a Thai air force base.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Monday that the routine holding of the "Falcon Strike" joint air force training demonstrates a high level of mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, contributing to peace and stability in the region.

During the "Falcon Strike-2024," the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force sent multiple types of military aircraft including the J-10C fighter jets, while the Thai side sent the JAS39 Gripen aircraft, according to a China Military Online report at the time.

Zhang said that with the export version of the J-10C having scored real combat results in foreign air combat this year, if the J-10C participates in this year's joint training, the Thai side may express extra interests.

China and Thailand have different geographic environments and have some different military equipment. Through the joint training, the two countries' air forces can learn from each other and boost their technical and tactical capabilities, Zhang said.